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Mum, you’re going to be really pleased to hear this.
I can borrow your car, can’t I, Gran?
Terms of endearment
We use terms of endearment for people we are very close to or to
whom we want to show affection or friendship. They include: darling,
dear, poppet (usually to a little child), love, luvvie, sweetheart. They
may combine with names:
Can you lock the car, darling?
Peter, love, could you take this to the post-box for me?
Groups of people
We use folks, guys, everyone/everybody, children, boys, lads, girls,
ladies, gentlemen to address groups. Some of these are more formal.
For example, ladies and gentlemen is more formal
than folks or guys. Guys is used more and more for groups of both
sexes, not just males:
OK, boys, could you all wait in the main hall, please.
Everybody, could you all hand in your evaluations as you leave,
please.
Come, on guys, come and help!
Very polite terms of address
We use sir or madam most often in places such as shops or hotels
where a service is being given. We use sir and miss to address male
and female school teachers (but not teachers in higher education):

[in a shop: a shop assistant is addressing a customer]

How can I help you, madam?

[in a school classroom: a pupil is addressing the teacher]

Sir, she keeps talking all the time.
Addressing strangers

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